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Local officials and well-known members of the community share what they are thankful for. We hope their responses will remind you of the wonderful blessings in your life.
Tom Peeples, Mayor, Hilton Head Island
The older I become, the greater is the depth of my thankfulness. I suppose age itself doesn’t trigger the depth of thankfulness, rather, I think it more has to do with the journey of experiences through age. At each Town Council meeting, we take time to thank our Armed Forces and, as an American, I am thankful we are able to enjoy our Thanksgiving because of the sacrifice our military is making throughout the world. In my professional life, I am thankful for the honor and opportunity the residents of Hilton Head Island have given me to be their mayor. We’re weathering the economic storm and it appears we have dodged another hurricane season. That is something to be thankful for. On the personal side, I enjoy the love and support of Mary Ann, my wife, and Josh, our son. The Peeples family, like many other families, is not immune to the highs and lows of success, death and health issues. We have had our share this year. Our experiences in our journey make us all the more thankful we have each other. For your Thanksgiving, the Peeples family wishes you our warmest appreciation and thanks. May your family cherish the time it has with each other this Thanksgiving and throughout the year.
Lisa Sulka, Town of Bluffton Mayor
I am thankful that:
• I have such a supportive husband and family, which allows me to spend time with civic work.
• I am thankful for choosing such a beautiful place like Bluffton to call home.
• I am thankful for children who thinks it is cool to hang out with their parents and friends.
• I am thankful for children who aren’t afraid to be leaders and do the right thing when challenged by their peers.
• I am thankful for being raised by fantastic parents that taught me to give back to those who are less fortunate than others, and to make a difference no matter what I do in life.
Emory Campbell, Local Author, Historian
Like past Thanksgivings, I am again most grateful this year for health, family and friends. Being blessed with these attributes has enabled me to live a beneficial life during the year. With the support of family and friends, we made steady progress in planning the management of the recently designated Gullah Cultural Heritage Corridor. My work with this project gave me opportunities for special moments with others in helping them enjoy life by understanding better the lifestyles of others.
Also, not taking personal health for granted, I am thankful that this gift allowed me to bond with others in promoting a spirit of community here on our island. I believe we made good progress toward the goal of making our island one of the most livable communities in the world. We did so by caring and sharing, which is why this Thanksgiving is as special to me as any other in the past.
I am grateful for my wife of 42 years, two adult children with one moving closer to home, and another year with my 10 living siblings and their children, who helped to make the Gullah Tours another year of success.
I wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving.
David Mcallister, Bluffton Police Chief
First and foremost I am thankful for my family. I am fortunate to have not only my immediate family, but also my parents living here in Bluffton. To have a close family is a blessing that I celebrate every day.
I am thankful to have good friends in my life. No matter if they are in the area or very far away, I am grateful to have the type of friends that you can count on to be there — no matter what.
Hardly a day passes that I am not thankful for the beautiful area that we live in. I have been able to travel all over the world and the natural beauty of the Lowcountry is second to none.
Finally, I am thankful for the community of Bluffton. The people are supportive and they understand what it means to be a community. They have infinite room in their hearts. In my job, I have had the honor to witness thousands of random acts of kindness from our citizens. I am thankful every day for that.
Valerie Truesdale, Beaufort County School Superintendent
We have much to be thankful for in Beaufort County!
Despite current economic challenges, our excellent teachers and leaders are full of energy and encouragement as they stretch our students toward even higher levels of achievement. I am very thankful for:
• 19,840 Beaufort County schoolchildren who are our pride, our joy and our hope for the future of this beautiful county, our great country and the world.
• Dedicated, passionate and caring educators who center their lives on the children they serve.
• Elected leaders on the Board of Education who tirelessly advocate for the best interests of the children of Beaufort County.
• Parents who, as their children’s most important teachers, dedicate time for school activities and School Improvement Councils, who help in classrooms, sports events and fine arts performances.
• Volunteers who, even with no children in our schools, value the mission of an educated populace and generously share their talents and treasures to extend learning for children.
• Community partners who extend learning beyond the classroom to after-school care, faith and recreational venues.
Weston Newton, Beaufort County Council Chairman
I am a very fortunate man who leads a great life full of many blessings for which I am truly grateful.
First, I married above myself and I know it!! My beautiful wife, Rose, is not only patient and loving, she has allowed me to be a public servant for the last decade. Together, we brought three precious children into this world and they have filled our lives with joy. I am grateful for every Little League game, dance recital and opportunity for a bedtime story and prayers. I am also fortunate to have many wonderful friends whom I cherish.
I am blessed to have the opportunity to live and work in the Lowcountry, otherwise known as paradise, where I am surrounded by the natural beauty of God’s great outdoor environment on a daily basis.
There is more that could be mentioned, but I want the people of Beaufort County — especially those in my Bluffton District — to know that the privilege of serving them on County Council has brought me much gratification and fulfillment. I wish each and every one of you a very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving.
